Early vote totals high

Tony and Patsy Gresham made a short walk Friday in the Quay County Courthouse.

The Greshams thought it was important to have honesty, experience and commitment from their elected officials, and they took advantage of the early voting period to let their voices be heard.

More than 400 people have already voted in Tuesday’s Quay County primary elections, according to County Clerk Ellen White.

“I think (the numbers are) a little higher than they have been,” White said, “considering it’s a non-presidential election year.”

As of noon Friday, the clerk’s office had received 372 early voters and 55 absentee ballots

Those registered who have not yet voted in the county primaries may do so from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the courthouse. According to the clerk’s officer, there are 5,957 registered voters in Quay County — 3,600 Democrats, 1,804 Republicans, 504 who declined to pick a party and 49 registered with a third party.

Though the early votes are a small percentage of the total potential electorate, it’s a number that is rising with each election cycle, White said.

“The majority of people will wait and vote at the polls normally, but we’re seeing a change because it’s so convenient.”

Six positions are on the ballot for Tuesday — county assessor, two county commissioners, magistrate judge, sheriff and probate judge.

No more than three candidates filed for any party in one of the six positions and three of the positions will be unopposed.

The sheriff’s race will feature a new face, as Jack Huntley has served his maximum of two four-year terms. James Witcher runs unopposed on the Republican ticket, while Juan I. Barreras and Joe Schallert will compete in the Democratic primary.

Incumbent Edwin Bruhn runs unopposed on the Republican ticket for magistrate judge. He will face either David Joel Garnett, Dennis D. Townsend or Wayne Charles Thibodeaux III on the Democrat side.

Robert Lopez, who was appointed as a commissioner following the death of Grace Madrid, runs for re-election on the Democratic ticket against Jimmy Sandoval and Doyle Frasier. The winner will face no Republican competition in the November general election.

District 3 Commissioner Franklin D. McCasland will run unopposed for re-election in November, as will County Assessor Janie L. Murray. Sue Smith Moore will run unopposed for probate judge, with incumbent Joyce Thrasher leaving due to term limits. McCasland, Murray and Moore all ran as Democrats.